Spring Diaries | 5 ways to feel more like yourself
At what stage do you realize you’re burning out? Is it the beginning, the decline, or when you’re drowning in the heaviness?
I’ve been thinking about these questions since I sent out my last monthly newsletter when I shared my initial thoughts on burnout, overwhelm, and ways to feel more like you. After a month “noodling” on these topics while taking action to return to baseline—a semblance of “normality” for me personally—I feel better prepared to share my personal experiences and tips dealing with burnout.
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Before we get into the tips on how to feel more like yourself after burnout, we first need to recognize our warning signs. How do you know when you’re overwhelmed?
For me, I tend to notice I’m getting overwhelmed as my emotional, mental, and physical health decline. As life gets fuller, there’s a risk that the slippery slope of busyness will avalanche into an inability to function. When there are more things to do and less time for stillness and rest, my body and mind tend to shut down, like force quitting a frozen computer that refuses to follow each click and command. A packed schedule, lack of sleep, decreased efficiency and concentration—these are my personal warning signs of burnout.
Now, recognizing your warning signs is no guarantee that you won’t hit rock bottom and fizzle out completely. Despite noticing my warning signs and taking steps to manage the stress, there are still days where I start the morning strong and by noon, I’m back in bed unable to do much else.
However, by taking these 5 steps to heart, I feel more like myself even if I’m not 100% back to “normal.”
For more context on why and how I found myself burning out, watch the video. I speak directly about what’s been going on with my physical and mental health in the beginning, while sharing a bit more at the very end.
5 Ways to Feel More Like You:
Take care of your basic needs, especially making sure to eat.
In a panic attack class I took recently, I learned about the acronym HALT as a way to check-in with ourselves. HALT is a technique we can use to ask ourselves if we’re Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. One of the most common reasons I don’t feel like myself, even when I’m feeling great, is because I’m hungry. 😅
Do something indulgent without guilt or shame.
Guilt and shame are complex emotions that are sometimes unwarranted, especially when we’re unnecessarily hard on ourselves. If we struggle with scarcity mindset, even something as simple as going out on a short coffee date once in a while can trigger guilty thoughts and feelings. When we work through our guilt and shift our perspectives, indulging in something like an occasional afternoon reading a good fiction book instead of a textbook, self-help, or career-related book can be very healing.
Do something Future You will appreciate even if it’s hard in the moment.
For those of us who do struggle with scarcity mindset, doing something “responsible” can balance out doing something “indulgent.” Some tasks that Future Me always appreciates are doing my taxes on time which means being on top of my budget and expenses throughout the year. Another thing that Future You might appreciate is making your bed everyday or going on that evening walk instead of binging the newest season of your favorite show.
Nurture your connections.
In SoCal Diaries, I mentioned the importance of our relationships when it comes to living well. When you’re dealing with depression or anxiety, mental health issues that increase the likelihood of self-isolation, reaching out to friends or engaging with others can be difficult. Finding small ways to break the isolation cycle are essential to building a safety plan and self-care toolkit.
One small way I keep the isolation at bay is writing letters to loved ones because I don’t expect a response right away, or ever. Plus, it’s a nice surprise to get a text or call thanking me for the letter if a response does come. Another small way I stay connected with friends and family are simply sending memes or recipes that I think we both might enjoy. It takes a few clicks and isn’t that much effort when I’m already scrolling on social media.
Make space for your inner child.
As adults, it’s easy to forget to make time for the things we enjoy and the things that remind us not to take life too seriously all the time. Since working with youth and my adult clients as a coach, I’ve found that making space for our inner child can be extremely healing and eye-opening. When we make space and time to for our inner child, there’s more laughter, more joy, and more silliness. Even on a bad day, those positive emotions and experiences can create just enough space for us to view life from a more positive perspective, which then opens up all these possibilities and opportunities we couldn’t see before.
Q: What tip are you going to try next?
I’d love to hear your thoughts below, and if you have any more tips on how to feel more like you when you’re not feeling 100%, we’d love to hear them!
P.S. If you’re struggling with scarcity mindset or you’re feeling stuck in life, check to see if coaching is right for you. In coaching, we address and shift scarcity and other self-limiting mindsets when it comes to money and self-care using my coaching methods, like making space for your inner child, turning your inner critics into inner motivators, and crafting your own personal formula for freedom and flow.
Book a free 30-minute call and you’ll leave with a free Dream Life Action Plan to get you unstuck and moving towards your goals—no commitments required.